Hello, my name is Kathie. A photo of a blue banded bee I took in Spring 2009 led me on a path of discovery. I began researching to find out what kind of bee it was. I’ve actually learnt lots of things since that day and can now name almost every bird in this region and identify it by its call too. Apart from improving my skills in photography I’ve learnt so much more about the environment in which I live. I explore it constantly and have walked and driven to many places simply for the pleasure of photographing it and get excited when I discover a ‘new’ bird or something I’d not seen before.
I got my first camera when I was 14 years old but only played with it now and then. My role in life for over 40 years was as a secretary and administrative support, 20 years in the corporate world and 27 years running my own business as a Virtual Assistant. It’s where I learnt my web building skills, social media skills and built a lot of other skills too. I’m retired from that world now but still apply those skills in many other areas. However, photography is my passion and it’s what I do daily now. I really got into it about 12 years before I retired from my work life and have gradually built it up over that time.
I have a Diploma of Photography (Professional Photography).
I am a member of:
Hills Photographic Society and served on their committee for 7 years, having been Secretary, Webmaster, Vice President and VAPS Representative during those years.
APS Australian Photographic Society and
PSA Photographic Society of America Worldwide.
Q&A:
Who are you and where do you live?
My name is Kathie Thomas and I live in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia with my husband on a 2 acre property. It is indeed a very beautiful place to visit all year round and most photos on my sites have been taken on our property or in areas close by. Occasionally we travel further afield, interstate or overseas and so you may see other images not native to my area from time to time. We have always loved this area and have stayed in various B&Bs over the years up here. Some time ago our eldest daughter moved to Upwey after getting married and our youngest to Endeavour Hills. As empty nesters we felt it was time to shift to an area we loved visiting and the house we chose is exactly halfway between those two daughters (we’re in Selby). Our other daughters come visit us often.
What equipment do you use?
Nikon D7000, D7100 and a number of lenses. My latest acquisition is a Nikon P950 and you’ll see a review about that here on this site. I’ve used a variety of cameras over the years. I’ve enjoyed photography since my teen years but didn’t take it up seriously till much later in life.
Are the images here available for sale?
The images on this site are available for purchase in the following formats: digital download, prints (framed, canvas, etc), cards, clothing and other items. Purchased prints will not have watermarks on them. Simply fill out the contact form on this site for your requests if you can’t see what you’re looking for.
What about stock photos?
Photos concentrate mainly on the region of Shire of Yarra Ranges, Victoria with occasional other areas added wherever I travel. Digital downloads are available for both personal and commercial use at my site at GardenImagery. I also have a profile at ShutterStock. If there’s something in particular you’re looking for, but can’t find it, please contact me direct. Please read the conditions for use prior to purchase.
Do you have product with your images?
Yes, these are currently on request. If you are visiting the Dandenong Ranges area you may well come across me at local markets selling items there also.
Are you available for bookings?
Yes, I’m freelance and concentrate mainly on nature, gardens and landscape photography. However I have done pet and family photos, weddings, newborns and architecture. I particularly enjoy sports photography, especially mountain biking and equestrian events. Perhaps you have a particular Australian item you are looking for? Click here to contact me.
What else do you want to tell us?
I write a photoblog of what I see on a regular basis. I invite you to subscribe via email or RSS to see what is posted regularly. Your comments are most welcome and I would love to hear from you! Why not tell me where you are from when you pop by either blog? You can also find me at Facebook, Flickr and Twitter. Please come and say hello!
Photography has allowed me to capture a moment in time and then explore it in its greatest detail on my computer. It’s allowed me to bring home a piece of what I’ve seen and experienced when out and about in this beautiful country of ours – and other countries when I go travelling. Photography isn’t just about taking photos, it’s about building experiences and reliving those experiences over and again. I believe that looking through the lens of a camera has brought me much closer to a love and understanding of the nature God has given us. What a gift!
Today my photography focuses on the things of nature, particularly gardens, but also wildlife, birdlife, landscapes, etc and I also do occasional sporting events including rugby, football, horse events and MTB (Mountain Biking) races. The latter because my husband is a mountain biker and has participated in races. I enjoy the challenge of fast-paced action photography.
I was a runner up in the Bendigo Bank’s Calendar Competition for 2011 with a photo of the famous Puffing Billy Steam train, and outright winner in the 2015 Bendigo Bank Calendar Competition with an image of a darterbird holding out it’s wings in the misty sunlight at a local lake. I have been profiled in the local paper in the Dandenong Ranges region and have participated in photography club challenges. I have had photos featured in other calendars and had an image of the Puffing Billy on the Trestle Bridge on the front cover of the 2013 Printed Yellow Pages for the Melbourne Eastern region. I’ve held an exhibition in Kallista, had my images on display in a shop and also participate in local markets. I also have two images etched onto large glass walls in an insurance company here in Melbourne of the Flinders Street Station and the Puffing Billy on the Trestle Bridge.
The photographers who most inpsire me are Ken Duncan and Steve Parish with their wonderful Australian landscape and nature photos. I remember walking into newsagents and post offices and seeing Steve’s work on display in calendars, notebooks, colouring-in books and so on for many years. Ken I became aware of much later and admired his combination of faith and photography. Both of these men do the type of photography I enjoy and want to emulate.
I enjoy the company of other photographers who are always inspiring me in my development as a photographer. I can be found at the at various Facebook photography forums and also on my Facebook page where I share information, photos and link to other photographers’ sites.
If you’re planning to visit Victoria, Australia, you may like to visit the sites below to learn more about Victoria and our capital city Melbourne:
| Visit Melbourne That’s Melbourne Visit Victoria |
Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Yarra Valley Dandenong Ranges (where I live) |
Note: Kathie believes in capturing images just as nature intended them,
without manipulating or changing them other than showing a true representation of what she saw.
Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready
to have somebody click the shutter . ~Ansel Adams
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything – Aaron Sussman